BOWIE: Sandra Dodd, the first US fan to write to the music maverick spoke to us

Sandra Dodd, a 14-year-old from New Mexico in the US, got hold of a copy of his first album.

She liked it so much that she wrote to him and offered to start a US fan club on his behalf.

Bowie was so happy to receive praise from across the pond that he sent a heartwarming reply talking about how pleased he was that Sandra got in touch.

SANDRA DODD

DELIVERY: A picture Sandra received along with the letter

“It was weird and interesting, and I wrote him a letter. I had told him I liked his writing, and the songs were good”

Sandra Dodd

Sandra told the Daily Star Online: "I told him I thought the album was really good. I had lots of albums then, by groups from the U.S and UK."

She told him that she thought he was as good as The Beatles.

"I knew most albums had one or two good songs and lots of filler. The Beatles never did that. This album hadn't done it, either," she added.

Sandra got hold of the album because her uncle was a manager of a local radio station and he had a copy.

Although she was yet to know what a massive sensation the then 20-year-old would become, she decided to send him a letter.

"It was weird and interesting, and I wrote him a letter. I had told him I liked his writing, and the songs were good," said Sandra.

SANDRA DODD

LEGEND: Another Bowie picture sent to Sandra

SANDRA DODD

TEENAGER: Sandra Dodd, aged 14, when she received the letter

"I wish I had kept a copy of what I wrote but I was too young then, to consider it.

"It's a beautiful piece of writing and a nice bit of history now," she said.

Sandra said that her friends had no idea who he was.

"I don't think anyone in the whole country had heard of him," she said.

But when he took the world by storm shortly after that changed.

"At university, when newer friends would mention him, I would tell them the stories and offer copies of the letter. By then, photocopy machines had improved and were available," Sandra said.

"Same, as years passed, if I learned someone was a fan of his, I would share the letter," she added.

GETTY

RECENT: A more up-to-date pic of Bowie, in 2010

Sandra also said that she was enamoured that Bowie had taken the time to respond, as mailing something across the Atlantic wasn't as easy then as it is now," Sandra said.

"I wrote him at the only address on the album cover, in New York. I guess that was the American publisher or distributor of the album.

"They sent the letter back very sweetly, with the address of his manager. So I mailed it again. And in those days mailing something internationally was a bigger deal than now."

But Sandra said that the best part about getting a letter from Bowie wasn't the fact that she now has correspondence from a world-wide star.

"It wasn't easy to contact him (nor anyone, in the mid-60's.) It's hard for young people now to imagine it," she said.

SANDRA DODD

FRESH FACED: Sandra wrote to Bowie because she was impressed by his writing

"So the fact that he wrote back to me was great. But when people ask me about that, they're assuming that I got a letter from someone famous.

"I got a letter from someone who was really excited to have received my letter. That's the special part."

Sandra also added that she offered to set up the US fan club because had there already been one, she would have joined.

And although she was the first ever U.S fan to write to Bowie, she never actually met the man himself.

"When he was filming The Man Who Fell To Earth in Madrid, New Mexico, a friend of mine was pressing me to go to the site and introduce myself. I said no," Sandra said.

"I had already written what I had wanted to say to him. I wasn't being a giddy fan-girl. I had been impressed by his songs, and by his writing and I had already communicated that and he was generous to share the packet of stuff with me."

SANDRA DODD

INTERNATIONAL MAIL: The letter Sandra received

"I didn't want to invade his privacy and film sets don't just let anyone on. The friend said 'take the letter and they'll let you in'. Really, I didn't want to do that.

"People should give what they want to give and not be harassed or bothered beyond that. He gave us music, movies, lots of interviews.

"I thought he was very nice to write back to me."

Sandra was sent several photos and also a British newspaper article about Bowie along with the letter.

David Bowie: 1947 - 2016

Wednesday, 24th February 2016

David Bowie died today after an 18 month battle with cancer

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WireImage

Bowie tribute at the Brit Awards 2016

The letter reads:

"Dear Sandra,

When I called in this, my manager's office, a few moments ago I was handed my very first American fan letter – and it was from you.I was so pleased that I had to sit down and type an immediate reply even though Ken is shouting at me to get on with a script he badly needs.That can wiat (wi-at? That's a new English word which means wait).

I've been waiting for some reaction to the album from American listeners. There were reviews in Billboard and Cash Box, but they were by professional critics and they rarely reflect the opinions of the public.The critics were very flattering however. They even liked the single "Love You Till Tuesday." I've got a copy of the American album and they've printed the picture a little yellow. I'm not really that blonde. I think the picture on the back is more 'me'.Hope you like those enclosed.

In answer to your questions, my real name is David Jones and I don't have to tell you why I changed it. "Nobody's going to make a monkey out of you" said my manager. My birthday is January 8th and I guess I'm 5'10''. There is a fan club here in England, but if things go well in the States then we'll have one there I suppose. It's a little early to even think about it.

I hope one day to get to America. My manager tells me lots about it as he has been many times with other acts he manages. I was watching an old film on TV the other night called "No Down Payment" a great film, but rather depressing if it is a true reflection of The American Way Of LIfe. However, shortly after that they showed a documentary about Robert Frost, the America poet, filmed mainly at his home in Vermont, and that evened the score. I am sure that that is nearer the real America. I made my first movie last week. Just a fifteen minutes short, but it gave me some good experience for a full length deal I have starting in January.

Thank you for being so kind to me and do please write again and let me know some more about yourself.